Words often have different meanings; depending on lived experiences words might hold different meanings for different people. Having a shared language to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion promotes dialogue by providing a basic framework around this conversation. The list of terms outlined below are not meant to be exhaustive, since language is continuously evolving.
Diversity- Diversity is the acknowledgment of difference amongst factors that make individuals who they are, and refers to the traits and characteristics that make people unique. These differences can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies
Inclusion- Behaviors and social norms that ensure people feel included and have a sense of belonging
Equity- The fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is necessary to provide equal opportunities to all groups
Belonging- The feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to a space.
Affinity- A designated "safe space," where everyone in that group shares a particular identity. This identity can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, physical/mental ability, socio-economic class, family structure, religion, etc.
Ally- Someone who supports a group other than one's own (in terms of multiple identities such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). An ally acknowledges oppression and actively commits to reducing their own complicity, investing in strengthening their own knowledge and awareness of oppression.
Bias- A form of prejudice that results from our need to quickly classify individuals into categories.
Bigot- A person who is obstinately devoted to their own opinions and prejudices and is intolerant towards other diverse social groups.
BIPoC- An acronym used to refer to black, Indigenous and people of color. It is based on the recognition of collective experiences of systemic racism. As with any other identity term, it is up to individuals to use this term as an identifier.
Cisgender- A term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior aligns with those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth.
Color Blind- The belief that everyone should be treated "equally" without respect to societal, economic, historical, racial or other difference. No differences are seen or acknowledged; everyone is the same.
Cultural Appropriation- The non-consensual/misappropriate use of cultural elements for commodification or profit purposes – including symbols, art, language, customs, etc. – often without understanding, acknowledgment or respect for its value in the context of its original culture.
Decolonize- The active and intentional process of unlearning values, beliefs and conceptions that have caused physical, emotional or mental harm to people through colonization. It requires a recognition of systems of oppression.
Disability- Physical or mental impairment that affects a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Equality– Equality is defined as treating everyone the same and giving everyone access to the same opportunities.
Ethnicity- refers to the way in which one identifies learned aspects of themselves—i.e., nationality, language, and culture.
Erasure- refers to the practice of collective indifference that renders certain people and groups invisible.
Gaslighting- psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator.
Gender Identity- Distinct from the term "sexual orientation," refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female or something else. Since gender identity is internal, one's gender identity is not necessarily visible to others.
Gender Nonconforming- An individual whose gender expression is different from societal expectations related to gender.
Harassment- The use of comments or actions that can be perceived as offensive, embarrassing, humiliating, demeaning and unwelcome.
Inclusive language- language that is free from words, phrases or tones that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped or discriminatory views of particular people or groups. It is also a language that does not deliberately or inadvertently exclude people from feeling accepted. The use of inclusive language plays an important role in promoting higher employee engagement, superior customer service and increased productivity—all important aspects of a positive work culture.
Implicit Bias- Negative associations expressed automatically that people unknowingly hold and that that affect our understanding, actions and decisions; also known as unconscious or hidden bias.
Intersectionality- A social construct that recognizes the fluid diversity of identities that a person can hold such as gender, race, class, religion, professional status, marital status, socioeconomic status, etc.
"Isms"- A way of describing any attitude, action or institutional structure that oppresses a person or group because of their target group. For example, race (racism), gender (sexism), economic status (classism), older age (ageism), religion (e.g., anti-Semitism), sexual orientation (heterosexism), language/immigrant status (xenophobism), etc
LGBTQIA- An inclusive term for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual.
Micro aggressions- a term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative prejudicial slights and insults toward any group, particularly culturally marginalized groups.
National Origin– refers to the country a person was born in or where their ancestors lived.
Oppression- The systemic and pervasive nature of social inequality woven throughout social institutions as well as embedded within individual consciousness. Oppression fuses institutional and systemic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry and social prejudice in a complex web of relationships and structures.
Patriarchy- Actions and beliefs that prioritizes masculinity. Patriarchy is practiced systemically in the ways and methods through which power is distributed in society (jobs and positions of power given to men in government, policy, criminal justice, etc.) while also influencing how we interact with one another interpersonally (gender expectations, sexual dynamics, space-taking, etc.).
Psychological Safety- an environment in which people believe that they can speak up candidly with ideas, questions, concerns, and even mistakes.
Prejudice- A preconceived judgement or preference, especially one that interferes with impartial judgment and can be rooted in stereotypes, that denies the right of individual members of certain groups to be recognized.
Privilege- Exclusive access or access to material and immaterial resources based on the membership to a dominant social group.
Queer- An umbrella term that can refer to anyone who transgresses society's view of gender or sexuality. The definitional indeterminacy of the word Queer, its elasticity, is one of its characteristics: "A zone of possibilities."
Race- race as a person's self-identification with one or more social groups
Racism- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. Racism can be either explicit or implicit, and can occur at an interpersonal, cultural and/or structural level.
Safe Space- Refers to an environment in which everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and participating fully, without fear of attack, ridicule or denial of experience.
Sexual Orientation- An individual's enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to another person. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay or bisexual.
Social Justice- Social justice constitutes a form of activism, based on principles of equity and inclusion that encompasses a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. Social justice involves social actors who have a sense of their own agency as well as a sense of social responsibility toward and with others.
Stereotype- A form of generalization rooted in blanket beliefs and false assumptions, a product of processes of categorization that can result in a prejudiced attitude, critical judgment and intentional or unintentional discrimination. Stereotypes are typically negative, based on little information and does not recognize individualism and personal agency
Structural inequality- Systemic disadvantage(s) of one social group compared to other groups, rooted and perpetuated through discriminatory practices (conscious or unconscious) that are reinforced through institutions, ideologies, representations, policies/laws and practices. When this kind of inequality is related to racial/ethnic discrimination, it is referred to as systemic or structural racism.
System of Oppression- Conscious and unconscious, non-random and organized harassment, discrimination, exploitation, discrimination, prejudice and other forms of unequal treatment that impact different groups. Sometimes is used to refer to systemic racism.
Tokenism- Performative presence without meaningful participation. For example, a superficial invitation for the participation of members of a certain socially oppressed group, who are expected to speak for the whole group without giving this person a real opportunity to speak for her/himself.
Title IX- Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance
Title VI- No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance
Underrepresented Minorities / Historically Underrepresented Groups– a group whose percentage of the population in a given group is lower than their percentage of the population in the country
White Supremacy- A power system structured and maintained by persons who classify themselves as White, whether consciously or subconsciously determined, and who feel superior to those of other racial/ethnic identities.
The terms contained in this page are from the following resources:
-Anti-Violence Project. Glossary. University of Victoria.
-Colors of Resistance. Definitions for the Revolution.
-Cram, R. H. (2002). Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook.
-Equity and Inclusion. Glossary. UC Davis
-What Is Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging? Glassdoor.
